In a significant step in taking their bilateral relations to a new level, India and China Wednesday signed an agreement to establish a hotline between Prime Ministers of the two countries.
The agreement was signed by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi after their first round of talks here.
This is the first time in recent years that India has established a dedicated hotline facility with any country.
Under the agreement, dedicated phone lines will be set up in the Prime Minister's office of the two countries.
This would enable Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao to hold direct conversations whenever they want.
The decision to establish the hotline was reached during a meeting between Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in June last year.
After the over an hour-long meeting, Krishna said the establishment of hotline facility showed how close India and China were with each other.
"This has been one of the highlights of my visit and it is fitting that the two countries were able to do it during the celebrations of 60th year of establishment of diplomatic relations," he told reporters.
Asked whether the issue of stapled visas were taken up during the meeting with Yang, Krishna said: "All issues concerning bilateral ties were discussed."
The Minister said the discussions between him and Yang were "purposeful and indeed satisfying."
"We want to have continued, sustained and cordial relations with China. That has been one of the priorities of India's foreign policy. That purpose has been subserved by my visit to Beijing," he said.
"We want to have cordial and friendly ties and lift the bilateral relations to a new level of strategic cooperation and partnership."
He said the trade between India and China will touch USD 60 billion this year and the issue of trade deficit with China is being discussed.
Speaking to reporters after signing the agreement, Yang said Krishna's visit is "very important" as it is taking place in the 60th of year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
"We have had very good discussions covering broad range of issues. We believe that the relations should be viewed from a strategic vantage point and from long term interest."
"It is in our mutual interest to deepen our political interests and strengthen and broaden our consultation and cooperation in various fields to have a better cooperation on international issues like global financial crisis and climate change," he said.
Yang said China is also looking forward to the visit of President Pratibha Patil, which is likely to take place later this year.
"We are very much looking forward to make major contribution to make the BRIC summit to be held in Brazil later this month successful."
He said Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet on the sidelines of the summit and work together to contribute to its success.
Asked about China issuing visas to residents from Jammu and Kashmir on a separate piece of paper, Yang refused to go into the details of his talks with Krishna.
"I am not going into the details," he said adding that both the countries should focus on common interests.
"I am sure that this relationship will go forward."